NEW YORK (WKBW) — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the "Cluster Action Initiative," which lays out the closure plan for COVID-19 hot spots in the state.
According to the governor, although the state as a whole is doing very well in regards to COVID-19, there is also a cluster problem in the state.
Cuomo says mass gatherings cause infections, infections cause clusters and clusters cause community spread.
The strategy is to "crush the cluster" and stop the spread which is why the state is establishing the initiative, according to the governor.
The initiative is a three step process:
- Take dramatic action within the cluster.
- Take action in the areas surrounding the cluster to stop the spread.
- Take precautionary action in the outlying communities.
The initiative will be implemented in Brooklyn, Queens, Binghamton, Orange County and Rockland County at this time.
Cuomo says these areas are small in geographical nature and provided the following example.
- Red - cluster
- Orange - areas surrounding the cluster
- Yellow - the outlying communities
The colored area the location is in will determine the response. Cuomo tweeted the following protocols will be in place as part of the initiative.
Today we establish clear limits for areas where we see high positivity: The Cluster Action Initiative.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) October 6, 2020
Locations will be categorized either Red, Orange, or Yellow, based on proximity to the cluster.
The severity of the problem will determine the response. pic.twitter.com/707FYGHB0g
The governor continued to call on local governments to enforce the law saying "a lack of enforcement has contributed to this problem."
